Last week, I wrote about something pertaining to Mental Illness Awareness Week. However, it is a new week and a new season: midterm season.
Sorry. But anyway, it's time for exams. This means students will probably fall into one of these three categories: those who study intensely, those who procrastinate and end up not studying, and then those who procrastinate until the last minute and then study intensely. I will not admit which one of these categories I tend to find myself in, but let’s just say that I’ve been all three at some point during my college career.
I don’t know which student you are, but I don’t want to discriminate because I want everyone to find this relevant. That being said, this article will contain not only tips for studying for midterms, but also ways to procrastinate (as if you really need help with the latter).
Studying
Figure out how you study best
Is it through flashcards? Listening to people discuss? In a group cram session? By yourself where no one can distract you? Are you an audio/kinesthetic/visual learner? Once you figure it out, studying is much easier.
Fill out the study guide
Seems obvious enough.
Okay, some professors don’t give you a study guide and I’m very sorry, but if that’s the case, ask them what will be covered on the exam in class or during their office hours.
Don’t study on your bed
First, it’s a psychological thing where it’s just best to have each place designated for a specific e purpose and not confusing your brain by giving places dual purposes. Second, it’s common sense, particularly if you’re prone to being so bored by studying that you fall asleep.
Set goals
I don’t know about you, but I always feel a strange sense of accomplishment when I make a to-do list and succeed in checking off items. That might be my type A personality coming out to play, though. Still, setting reasonable goals like memorizing the vocabulary for the first two chapters make studying less daunting and more doable. Speaking of that...
Don’t cram. Duh.
Obviously, you’re not supposed to cram 10 minutes or even the night before the exam. This goes along with the whole setting goals point, though. Don’t just set goals; set aside time to accomplish those goals.
Procrastinating
Like I said, you don’t need help with that. With the variety of distractions out there (apps, games, not to mention human interaction), procrastination is much easier to accomplish. No one has to try to procrastinate. They just do it.
However, I did say this article would be for everyone, so here are a few more points which can be used for the studious/procrastinating/both.
YouTube
Studying: There’s actually educational stuff on Youtube! It's not all just cats and crazy people. You just have to know where to look. Of course, it depends on what subject you’re studying, but there are great channels like CrashCourse and KhanAcademy, both of which cover a wide range of subjects.
Procrastinating: Do you need help getting hopelessly lost on YouTube? Yeah, didn’t think so. But just to get you started, here are a couple random videos for you.
Websites
Studying: There are websites such as StudyBlue and Quizlet, which let you create online flashcards, if that’s how you learn best (however, studies have shown that hand writing notes results in you remembering more. Just putting that out there). There are other sites, though, such as Self-control (for Mac users) or Cold Turkey (for Windows users), which allow you to temporarily block access to certain sites in order to prevent distraction. You should also turn off your phone.
Procrastinating: Go play Higher or Lower (or Google Feud, if that’s more your speed). Or maybe try to beat the Akinator. And of course, there are always a ton of .io games to play. Here’s a link to slither.io. You’re welcome.
Listening to music
Studying: Some of my friends study best listening to movie or video game soundtracks. Others listen to classical music. I tend to pick one song and loop it until it basically becomes white noise. Pick your poison. Also note that there are educational songs, which are a great way to remember things. Taking chemistry? Here’s the periodic table song for you.
Procrastinating: I mean, you could just listen to your normal music, I guess. Or you could listen to this.
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Good luck on your exams!
Please don’t get mad at me if you end up procrastinating more than usual this year.
